EDITORIAL: Madison County's frugality pays off

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. _ While many city and county governments will have stingy budgets next year that cut services or support only the status quo, the Madison County Commission will operate off a spending plan that can afford many extras.

A $120.34 million budget approved by the Madison County Commission on Friday reflects a 7.5 percent increase over the current budget.

County government reporter Keith Clines covered the highlights in a story Saturday.

County leaders attribute the increase to savings from a hiring freeze the commission ordered this year, reductions in overtime pay allowances, containing health care costs and other steps.

A recent employee health benefits audit found 110 people participating in the county's health care insurance who were not eligible.

Not only does the county budget next year grant a 5 percent pay raise for hundreds of county employees - unorthodox in these recessionary times - it also:

• fully funds a new circuit judgeship and staff and a new assistant director of public works position.

• adds 10 detention officer positions for the new metro jail.

• restores a 5 percent cut made this year to county departments and outside agencies like the public library.

• does not increase the employee share of health insurance premiums.• includes $1 million for repairs and renovations to the 9th and 10th floors of the courthouse.

In contrast, Huntsville's $220 million budget approved by the City Council last week cuts spending 3.8 percent over the current year, omits merit and cost of living raises for 2,100 city employees, hikes garbage fees by $2 a month, slashes department spending 10 percent, defers several major road projects and cancels the city's popular loose leaf collection program.

The $55.7 million budget that will be considered tonight by the Madison City Council proposes no fee increases or cuts in services but includes no pay raises for city workers (the first time in 20 years) and imposes a 15 percent increase in the employee share toward city health insurance coverage.

County commissioners, department heads and employees should be commended for their stewardship.

County officials should continue to look for ways to ensure greater efficiencies.

Runaway overtime costs ($2.7 million) raised a red flag last year, with numerous county employees raking in more overtime alone than what many county workers draw per year in salary.

Of course, much of the huge plus-up in the new budget is from new grants the county will receive.

If not for that extra $5.7 million, the budget increase from savings and growth would be 2.4 percent ($2.69 million extra) versus the $8.42 million increase factoring to 7.5 percent.

Still, the county budget is noteworthy at a time when many school systems and local governments will be struggling just to get by.

It's an enviable position to be in. May the good fortune be sustained throughout the fiscal year and into next.